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Moving from Washington to Hawaii

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side. vs. Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated.

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

HI state flag
Moving to

Hawaii

Capital: Honolulu

Median household income $94,814 · winter low 65°F · 271 sunny days

Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated.

Hawaii has an overall price level 110.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Washington
107.0
Hawaii
110.0
Hawaii has 2.7% higher overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
Hawaii
125.3
Hawaii has 0.5% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
Hawaii
102.5
Hawaii has 0.7% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
Hawaii
101.5
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Hawaii
42.2 ¢/kWh
Hawaii has 193% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
Hawaii
102.0
Hawaii has 0.6% higher transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
Hawaii
$875,900
Hawaii is 45% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
Hawaii
$1,579/mo
Hawaii is 3.8% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 65°F · 271 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Washington
79°F
Hawaii
87°F
Hawaii is 10% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
Hawaii
65°F
Hawaii is 86% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
Hawaii
72°F
Hawaii is 44% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
Hawaii
271
Hawaii has 78% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
Hawaii
57 in
Hawaii is 42% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
Hawaii
17
Hawaii has 56% lower AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
Hawaii
0 in
Hawaii is 100% less annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonHawaii report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Hawaii than Washington?

Hawaii's overall price level is roughly 113.2 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.8 for Washington — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Washington tops out at 0% income tax. Hawaii tops out at 11%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Hawaii?

Most Hawaii residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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